Technology is driving consumerism with lower prices for wearable, self-monitoring devices. For providers, this means balancing these sources of information with your training and expertise during treatment.
Technological advances in the healthcare industry are among the most interesting developments every year, and 2018 was no different. Focus on three development areas that experienced significant growth and became more mainstream for providers and patients.
- Automation
- Marketplace uncertainty
- Consumerism
Automation:
Automation in the provider’s office took different forms in 2018, impacting providers and patients. Whether it was an improvement in, or better integration of, revenue cycle management solutions or more effective ways to communicate with patients and another area addressed below, incorporates wearable health devices and the data they collect. Automating the collection of this information and bringing it into the practice is important. Applying these solutions remains a challenge for providers simply because their core competency is not technology implementation.
Marketplace uncertainty:
It continues to dog providers as politics and healthcare collide. Providers should continue to monitor the Affordable Care Act (ACA) and bundled payments, which were among the most significant, fluctuating issues of 2018. Will the ACA be completely repealed and replaced, partially dismantled or modified? Will bundled payments return? Automation and consumerism caused uncertainty as providers had to decide whether to enter the fray or possibly be left behind.
Consumerism:
It continues to grow every year in two specific areas that impact providers. Healthcare consumers have become more demanding and savvy as the availability of health information on the internet continues to grow. Technology is driving consumerism with lower prices for wearable, self-monitoring devices.
For providers, this means balancing these sources of information with your training and expertise during treatment. Patients are demanding to be part of the provider-office experience and they’re doing it by bringing third-party and first-hand information. In 2018, consumerism will continue to grow as patients take a more personal interest in their health and wellness.
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